Human Migration during the Paleolithic Era
During the Paleolithic Era as our species used better and better
tools and became more successful and multiplied- they left Africa. It
was during the Paleolithic Era that humans populated all of the
continents of the earth (except Antarctica). These migrations were not
because people wanted to explore. These migrations were because
people needed natural resources and were nomadic. After about 70,000
years, people were everywhere. Then the Neolithic Revolution began…
This map shows where humans began and how they spread throughout
the world. The numbers show how old the human fossils are. Ex.)
100,000 means that human fossils in that place are 100,000 years old.
1.) Why did people leave Africa during the Paleolithic Era?
2.) According to the map, how old are the human fossils in China?
3.) According to the map, how long ago did people leave Asia and enter
North America?
4.) How would the world be different if people never left Africa?
“Modern man is a wimp,” says historian Peter McAllister
By John Mehaffey
(Reuters) - Many prehistoric Australian Paleolithic men could have
outrun world 100 and 200 meters record holder Usain Bolt in modern
conditions.
Some ancient African men in Rwanda would have crushed the
current world high jump record of 2.45 meters during tribal
ceremonies in which they had to jump at least their own height to
become a man.
These and other eye-catching claims are detailed in a book by
Australian historian Peter McAllister entitled "Manthropology: The
Science of the Inadequate Modern Male."
The book begins by saying, "If you're reading this then you are the
worst man in history. No ifs, no buts -- the worst man, period...As a
species, right now, we are in fact the sorriest bunch of people to ever
walk the planet."
The author finds evidence he believes proves that we are inferior
(worse) than our Paleolithic ancestors in the basic Olympic sports of
running and jumping, among other things.
EVIDENCE
How can the author be so sure that our ancestors were so much
better than us? He has found fossilized human footprints from
20,000 years ago. By comparing how deep the footprints were and
using human fossil bones from the same time period, he estimates
that the person who made them was running 45 miles per hour, 3
miles per hour faster than Usain Bolt, the current “World’s Fastest
Man” who has won countless Olympic gold medals in sprinting
competitions.
Considering the time period (Paleolithic Era), historians can assume
that the person who made these footprints was not a superman, just
another nomad chasing down an animal… or running away from one.
McAllister said a Paleolithic woman had 10 percent more muscle than
modern man. So what if a Paleolithic woman were to arm-wrestle a
modern body builder like Arnold Schwarzenegger? “She would slam
him to the table without a problem," he said.
Why aren’t we as strong as our ancestors?
"We are simply not exposed to the same hard work or challenges that
people were in the ancient past. Our brains have become smarter
and allowed us to make more and more useful tools… so our bodies
have done the opposite and become weaker. Even the level of
training that professional athletes do doesn't come close to being like
the tasks involved in survival during the Paleolithic,” said McAllister.
1.) What does historian Peter McAllister mean when he says, “As a
species, right now, we are in fact the sorriest bunch of people to ever
walk the planet.”?
2.) Why does the author think that our Paleolithic ancestors were so
much stronger than us?
3.) If you had the choice, would you rather have a better brain or
better body… or does it depend on when you would live?